2024 was yet another spectacular year for the Malayalam film industry. Starting with blockbusters, the year promised absolute bangers. With each release, viewers’ expectations for Malayalam cinema grew exponentially. While many films exceeded expectations, several surprise packages also delivered exceptional viewing experiences, even without much hype. This article highlights a few underrated Malayalam films of 2024 that didn’t receive as much attention as the blockbusters. Reasons could vary—clashes with major releases, limited screens, ineffective promotions, or lesser-known cast and crew. Let’s dive into the list of films that stood out but might miss the “best-of-the-year” lists.
Anweshippin Kandethum
Anweshippin Kandethum is an engaging crime thriller written by Jinu V Abraham and directed by debutant Darwin Kuriakose. Featuring a stellar cast—Tovino Thomas, Siddique, Baburaj, Shammi Thilakan, Sadiq, Vineeth Thattil David, Rahul Rajagopal, Pramod Veliyanad, Azees Nedumangad, Kottayam Nazeer, and Nandhu—the film revolves around two separate murder investigations. SI Anand Narayanan, played by Tovino, and his team navigate through challenges to solve the cases.
This edge-of-the-seat thriller follows a similar template to Mammootty’s Kannur Squad, which also involved dual investigations. However, the film’s period setting, intricate clues, and suspenseful storytelling set it apart. Darwin Kuriakose’s direction, along with Gautham Sankar’s cinematography, Saiju Sreedharan’s editing, and Santhosh Narayanan’s music, creates a gripping experience.
Despite being a financial success, the film struggled to shine in theatres, overshadowed by Bramayugam and Premalu. Its true acclaim came after streaming on Netflix, where it gained pan-Indian appreciation. Anweshippin Kandethum deserves recognition as a standout thriller among the underrated Malayalam films of 2024.
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Golam
Directed by Samjad and co-written with Praveen Viswanath, Golam is among 2024’s most underrated films. Featuring Ranjith Sajeev, Alencier, Siddique, Dileesh Pothan, Chinnu Chandini, and Sunny Wayne, the film explores the mysterious death of an IT company’s managing director, found dead in the office washroom.
The tightly woven screenplay avoids pitfalls often seen in crime dramas. Samjad’s direction keeps viewers hooked, with a suspenseful progression and a powerful interval twist. The interval punch and the progression of the story post that keep the viewers engaged and invested.
Although the dialogues and the film’s beginning and ending could have been better, Golam remains a smartly crafted thriller. With little to no promotions for the film, it went relatively unnoticed during its theatrical run. Even its Amazon Prime release achieved limited success due to insufficient publicity. If you haven’t seen Golam, this is your cue to catch it—it won’t disappoint.
Vishesham
Directed by Sooraj Tom and written by Anand Madhusoodanan, Vishesham stars Chinnu Chandini, Baiju Ezhupunna, Althaf Salim, and Johny Antony. It tells the relatable story of Shiju and Sajitha, a couple struggling to conceive a child.
The film offers social commentary on how society perceives childless couples and the emotional stress they endure. It also portrays the importance of mutual support in marriage.
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While the plot is predictable, its refreshing take on characters and themes makes Vishesham a heartwarming watch. Although the film had a modest theatrical run, it gained traction on Amazon Prime and Manorama Max. It’s a feel-good movie that deserves more love.
Gaganachari
Set in a dystopian Kerala in 2043, Gaganachari is a sci-fi mockumentary directed by Arun Chandu, and written by Arun Chandu and Siva Sai. With Hollywood-level visuals on a modest budget of 10-15 crores, the film follows three quirky men who encounter an alien and the ensuing chaos.
Starring KB Ganesh Kumar, Gokul Suresh, Aju Varghese, Anarkali Marikkar, John Kaippalil, and Anantharama Ajay, the film offers sharp commentary on issues like social distancing, petrol price hikes, and interplanetary travel. While the initial humor lands perfectly, the film’s tone shifts to include emotional and superhero elements, aiming for mass appeal.
While the initial humor lands perfectly, the film’s tone shifts to include emotional and superhero elements, aiming for mass appeal. Though it received positive responses at film festivals, its theatrical release attracted limited audiences. Post the OTT release on Amazon Prime, the film gained traction and increased publicity. Arun Chandu also won a Kerala State Film Award for Best Director under the Special Mention Category for his work in Gaganachari. This film is destined to be a cult classic.
Nunakuzhi
Directed by Jeethu Joseph, this KR Krishna Kumar written film was a hilarious film to sit through. Billed as Jeethu Joseph’s comeback to the out-and-out comedy field after My Boss, this film definitely lived up to the expectations.
Despite multiple characters and intertwined incidents, the screenplay remains sharp and engaging. The humour, driven by impeccable comic timing, especially from Siddique and Baiju Santosh, keeps viewers entertained. While the story becomes predictable midway, the execution ensures consistent laughs.
Although a hit in theatres, the film’s popularity was overshadowed by the phenomenon of Vaazha, released on the same day. Streaming now on Zee5, Nunakuzhi is a delightful rewatch for bad days.
Bharatanatyam
Directed by Krishnadas Murali, Bharatanatyam stands out as a throwback to 80s and 90s-style family comedies. With Saiju Kurup, Kalrenjini, Sai Kumar, Nandu Poduval, and Sreeja Ravi in key roles, the film offers humour intertwined with emotional moments.
Though simple in storyline, its nostalgic charm and fresh humor make it a standout entertainer. Unfortunately, due to limited visibility, it didn’t gain much traction during its theatrical release. However, its uniqueness makes it worth a watch.
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Post its release on Amazon Prime and Manorama Max, Bharatanatyam has been receiving positive reviews. It is one of those light entertainers that you can watch with your family. Krishnadas Murali’s script, which is a slice of life tale, keeps you laughing and also engaged emotionally till the end. Surely one of the most underrated gems of 2024.
Hello Mummy
Horror comedies have been a recurring theme across various languages in 2024. Hello Mummy represents Malayalam cinema’s take on the genre, blending humor with light horror to create a delightful entertainer. Directed by Vaisakh Elans, the film leans more on comedy than horror, making it an engaging watch.
The film does get a little lengthy and dragged out, but the comedy and emotions work out perfectly. Sharafudheen, Jagadeesh, and Johny Antony excel in delivering laugh-out-loud moments, anchoring the film’s comedic elements with their stellar performances. The story revolves around a deceased mother’s spirit that continues to live with her daughter, creating chaos for the daughter’s husband. Together, they navigate the challenges and ultimately find a way to bring the spirit peace.
The film enjoyed a strong theatrical run but struggled to achieve widespread recognition due to the overwhelming popularity of Sookshmadarshini. While Hello Mummy may not be the greatest or most refined film, it delivers consistent entertainment through its hilarious comedy and heartfelt emotional moments that resonate with audiences.
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These were some of my picks for underappreciated and underrated Malayalam films of 2024. With so many blockbuster and critically acclaimed releases this year, it was inevitable for some deserving films to fly under the radar. Nevertheless, 2024 has been a golden year for Malayalam cinema in terms of both content and box office success. Here’s hoping 2025 brings us even more cinematic gems.
Let us know in the comments which 2024 Malayalam films you felt were underrated and deserved more attention and praise!
